Sometimes the best destinations are lesser known and fairly remote hidden discoveries.
By George Moore, F460576
December 2023
Thousands of travelers drive daily on Interstate 10 between San Antonio and Houston, Texas. These major cities and places beyond are the usual destinations. Unless travelers stop for fuel or food, most don’t even notice Schulenburg at exit 674. I recommend pausing in the race across Texas on I-10 and spending a few nights in Schulenburg at one of two nearby RV parks: Schulenburg RV Park and Whispering Oaks RV Park. Both are centrally located for a visit to these four interesting off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Incorporated in 1875 and now boasting a population of approximately 2,600, Schulenburg is the first stop of our trip. Schulenburg and the surrounding area traces much of its heritage to the primarily German and Czech immigrants of the 1800s. As these new residents established their small rural communities, one of the first public buildings they erected tended to be a community church.
St. John the Baptist Church, sometimes called the “pink church,” in Ammannsville.
Although many historical sites and markers can be found in and around Schulenburg, the crown jewels are the six turn-of-the-century churches known as “The Painted Churches,” located in Dubina, High Hill, Praha, and Ammannsville. These small, rural community Protestant and Catholic churches are known for their bright colors and the way they have been meticulously maintained. Although they appear rather plain on the outside, you
will be amazed by the beauty inside. They remain as they were in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Philadelphia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Swiss Alp, near Dubina.
In 2005, the Texas legislature designated Schulenburg as the “Official Home of the Painted Churches of Texas.” Be sure to stop at the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office at 618 N. Main Street to pick up a self-guided tour map of the churches. The tour consists of a relaxing loop drive through the quiet countryside for approximately 40 miles. A guided tour of the churches can be arranged through the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce (979-743-4514). Reservations should be made at least two weeks in advance, and a $50 deposit is required.
While at the tourism office in Schulenburg, you might also want to ask for information about other area sites and museums, such as the Stenzel Model Aircraft Museum and the Texas Polka Music Museum.
The next stop on our tour is the town of Shiner, about 30 miles southwest of Schulenburg. It is here you will find the home of Texas’ famous Shiner Bock beer: K. Spoetzl Brewery. This small brewery, founded in 1909, produces and ships over six million cases of beer all across the United States. Its founders were German and Czech immigrants who established the Shiner Brewing Association to fulfill a longing for beer from their homelands. In 1915, German brewmaster Kosmos Spoetzl bought the brewery and gave it his name. The brewery continues the tradition and still brews its flagship Shiner Bock along with other popular brews. The brewery offers tours daily. Tours of the new K. Spoetzl Distillery are offered daily as well.
K. Spoetzl Brewery, founded in 1909, in Shiner.
Our last two destinations require about a 55-mile drive northeast of Schulenburg through beautiful countryside to Brenham. From Brenham, continue 18.8 miles northeast on State Route 105 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in Washington. Here, you will find the reconstructed building in which delegates met and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. At the Star of the Republic Museum, you can explore award-winning exhibits and learn about the people, places, and events of the early Republic of Texas. Note that at press time, the museum was closed for an extended restoration. The site’s Independence Hall and the Barrington Plantation State Historic Site and other attractions remain open, however.
Texas Independence Hall at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
After your visit (or on the way) to Washington-on-the-Brazos, stop in Brenham and visit Blue Bell Creameries. What started in 1907 as a small creamery producing butter from excess cream brought in by local farmers, known as the Brenham Creamery Company, eventually grew to produce Texas’ favorite ice cream. In 1930, the name changed to Blue Bell Creameries. Butter continued to be made there until 1958 when the company began to focus solely on ice cream production.
Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham.
The creamery uses milk from 50,000 cows per day to produce the products it ships to 23 states. Located at 1101 S. Blue Bell Road, the observation deck is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The ice cream parlor (where you can try from 16 to 32 flavors), country store, and visitor center are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Schulenburg and Brenham have several historic sites in and around the area. I’ve described just four of the more popular attractions. The next time your travels lead you across Texas on I-10 between San Antonio and Houston, take a break and get off the beaten path.
CAMPGROUNDS
Schulenburg RV Park
65 Kessler Ave.
Schulenburg, TX 78956
schulenburgrvpark.com
(979) 743-4388
Whispering Oaks RV Park
2965 Highway 90
Weimar, TX 78962
whisperingoaksrvpark.com
(979) 732-9494
MORE INFO
Brenham
Blue Bell Creameries
1101 S. Blue Bell Road
Brenham, TX 77833
bluebell.com
(800) 327-8135
Ice cream parlor, country store, and visitor center are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; observation deck is open 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Schulenburg
Schulenburg Chamber Of Commerce
618 N. Main St.
Schulenburg, TX 78956
schulenburgchamber.org
(979) 743-4514
The “Painted Churches” are in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Praha, and Ammannsville. Tours are available Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum
311 Baumgarten St.
Schulenburg, TX 78956
stanzelmuseum.org
(979) 743-6559
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Texas Polka Music Museum
712 Lyons Ave.
Schulenburg, TX 78956
texaspolkamuseum.com
(979) 743-4752
Shiner
K. Spoetzl Brewery and Distillery
603 E. Brewery St.
Shiner, TX 77984
shiner.com
(361) 594-3852
Daily brewery tours may be reserved online; daily distillery tours are first-come, first serve on-site. K. Spoetzl BBQ restaurant is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Washington
Washington-On-The-Brazos State Historic Site
23400 Park Road 12
Washington, TX 77880
(936) 878-2214
thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/washington-brazos-state-historic-site
Grounds are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; visitor center opens at 9:30 a.m.